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J Reconstr Microsurg 1989; 5(2): 151-155
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006864
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1989 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Perfusion Washout: Increasing a Microvascular Free Flap Tolerance to Ischemia

Barry K. Douglas, David G. Silverman, Hubert Weinberg
  • Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, and Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Publication History

Accepted for publication 1988

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (non-exsanguinated) groups of 8 and 10 hr of ischemia, and exsanguinated groups of 8, 10, 14, 16, and 18 hr of ischemia. Free flaps based on the superficial inferior epigastric artery were anastomosed to the contralateral femoral vessels after their designated ischemia period. Reperfusion was assessed by measuring fluorescein uptake in the free flaps after clamp release.

In the exsanguinated groups, 100 percent (5/5) of the 8-hr, 10-hr, and 14-hr ischemia groups survived; 80 percent (4/5) of the 16-hr ischemia group free flaps survived; and none (0/5) of the 18-hr ischemia flaps survived. In the control groups, 100 percent (5/5) of the 8-hr ischemia flaps survived, while none (0/5) of the control 10-hr ischemia flaps survived. Fluorescein uptake correlated well with flap survival.

By exsanguinating an experimental microvascular free flap prior to its ischemia period, it is possible to dramatically increase flap tolerance to ischemia.